What 12 ELLE Editors Wear When They Can't Deal

You know those morning when you wake up late, can't pull together an outfit, and generally just feel out of sorts? Well ELLE editors have those days too. And on those days, when we often need to look polished and have looks that will take us from the office to dinner or drinks without a stop at home in between, here's what we wear. Makeup by Lauren Urasek

1 of 12

Tyler Joe

Leah Chernikoff, Editorial Director, ELLE.com

"I subscribe to the school of 'you can never go wrong in all black.' It keeps everything easy. But I think what makes this outfit my "default-chic" uniform are the details: I practically live in these Valentino mary janes—the block heel makes them so comfortable but the shine of the patent leather and the low scoop on the side makes them feel a little dressed up; and the gold choker, with its elegant knot, adds just enough interest to keep it all from feeling boring or funereal."

"I've always been a jeans and shirt type of girl, so my go-to outfit for when I don't know what to wear always incorporates a polished version of those two pieces. I generally go with black jeans (they tend to match everything), an Equipment blouse, and finish with a great pair of shoes. I've been wearing these patent leather Tommy Hilfiger boots non-stop. They look dressy, but the block heel means I can walk around in them pretty easily."

"For me, black jeans and a great blazer is the ultimate easy uniform. For me, the shirt underneath is interchangeable. Lately I've been rocking an array of turtlenecks (on this day of the Victorian era persuasion). To get out of the house in the morning fast, you need pieces that fit you well and keep their shape. Nothing keeps it shape better than a well made blazer. Heels make me feel more put together, but a good loafer that you can run around in (or run out of the house in, fast) can be just as good. Especially when they're Gucci."

"Wednesdays can be rough—you can't see the light at the end of the week yet. Whenever possible, I opt for jeans; and, there's something so comforting about a turtleneck. It feels like a layer of protection. Added bonus: if I'm having a bad hair day, I just tuck it all inside. Voila!"

"When I can't figure out what to wear, I tend to stick with the basics: jeans, a neutral sweater, and loafers, which are polished enough to wear to work but don't require a lot of effort."

Top: J.Crew; Jeans: Alexander Wang; Shoes: Gucci; Bandana: Madewell

8 of 12

Tyler Joe

Julie Schott, Senior Beauty Editor, ELLE.com

"My go-to outfit is born out of an undying commitment to comfortable and overall warmth. These Fenty X Pumas let me run around and walk at an athletic pace, plus they give me a 1.5 inch boost (I'll take what I can get). The dress wins for two reasons: it's long enough for work and short enough for a short person. And the jacket—somebody should confiscate it because I wear it five days a week. Maybe it was cool on day one, but now it's excessive. Get another jacket. But I love it and it's very, very warm."

Jacket: G.V.G.V.; Dress: Zara; Shoes: Fenty x Puma

9 of 12

Tyler Joe

Gena Kaufman, Social Media Manager, ELLE.com

"I started my career as a lawyer, and while I do not remotely miss it or its stifling dress code, it's definitely stuck with me when it comes to my go-to outfit. On days when all my clothes are wrong and nothing fits right, a pencil skirt always, always works. It's flattering and easy to dress up if I have an important meeting or event, but still cool with a t-shirt. I'm particularly into this navy, faux leather version this fall, but I have this same silhouette in multiple textures and patterns for all my 'Oh crap what do I wear today?' days. I like this look with simple accessories, but for me, I always need a great pair of heels to make an outfit feel complete."

"The button down and A-line skirt is a silhouette I turn to over and over again. This chambray top and gingham skirt, in particular, have been in rotation a lot–both separately and together. I throw them on when I know I have to look professional and am not in the mood to zip-up in an outfit that requires that I hold my breath the entire duration I wear it. As for the shoes, I love that they're sexy with the ankle straps but sturdy enough to endure my heavy commutes (I spend 900 hours a year on a subway–you can take my word for it)."

"Someday, I will grow into the woman I was meant to be—a wearer of tailored separates and Celine accessories. It's a nice future to look forward to, but I'm not there yet. In the meantime, I've amassed a wardrobe of sharp-shouldered blazers and short, sculptural skirts that at least approximate polish. This combination is a particular favorite. I ordered the jacket online, scoring the limited-edition style before the site crashed and the entire Isabel Marant x H&M collection sold out two years ago. I happen to have picked out this skirt at Zara, but I have at least a dozen near-identical versions that I've gotten from Sandro, Rag & Bone, and—would you believe!—Urban Outfitters. And the accessories, I'm afraid, have moved beyond "go-to" status and are now utter inevitabilities. I wear that watch and those bracelets to bed. All together, the look is anonymous and cool and just barely shiny, which is what I most want to be when I have to brave the outside world. "

"Since I was a kid, I've been in love with '50s and '60s fashion. As an adult, I try to give it a modern twist so I don't look like Betty Draper every time I leave my apartment. Print a-line skirts are my go-to: they make whatever I'm wearing automatically look 10 times more polished and chic. The skirt'sthe statement piece so I can go for something solid and comfortable up top. In the winter, it's sweaters because warmth is divine. In warmer weather, it's a blouse. I'll wear heels when I'm trying to look cool, but when I'd just rather be comfortable, I go for cute flats, like here. Toss on a pair of statement studs, and I'm set."

Nikki OgunnaikeStyle DirectorNikki Ogunnaike, Style Director of ELLE.com, is the go-to style expert for the 25 million+ users, fans, and followers of what is now the largest fashion and beauty magazine website.

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
ELLE participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.